07/04/2011 - Mobile Fireworks Paddle

Header Image is a photo of an exploding fireworks shot.

1) The sun sets behind a bank of thunderstorms. The distant severe storms generated some wind which kicked up the waves enough to kayak surf which is what I did while waiting for dark. There were very few motor boats out on the water.

2) Early birds got a good seat on the bank of Mobile Bay just north of the Battleship to watch the fireworks.

3) The fireworks barge was placed near the USS Alabama. Geese came out to watch all the activity.

4) At dark, I paddled over to a sandy beach south of the Battleship and got out to watch the fireworks. The reverberation of the firework booms were wonderful.

5) Yes, I was patriotic enough to put a flag on the light mast pole.

6) One of the fireworks blew up way too low sending hot embers shooting into the water.

7) Great fireworks show.

8) Rather than rushing right back to get in the traffic jam, I did a loop around the causeway and enjoyed the lights reflecting off the water. Paddling at night is sure more pleasant than padding during the heat of the day.

07/04/2010 - Booms

Launch: Mobile Causeway aka US Hwy 90 at the triple boat ramps
Launch Cost: Free
Destination: Somewhere near the Battleship to watch the Fireworks.
Distance: 10 miles (round trip)
Paddle time: 3 hours
Weather: Nearby rain storm with winds gusty at times.
GPS Track: To view or download the GPS track of this trip, Click Here.

Header Image

1) A nearby thunderstorm caused the winds to pick up speed. I started out having to wear a spray skirt but was able to take it off after getting in protected waters. Note the billboard sign - lawyers are crawling out of the ground to get a piece of BP money.

2) The waters on the south side of Hwy 90 near the Battleship were a bit choppy. Dozens of boats were already anchored and I didn't particularly want to be around a lot of boats in choppy water.

3) The clouds were putting on a wonderful light show.

4) I paddled to more sheltered waters to watch the sunset.

5) The clouds this evening were very captivating as the sun dipped down beyond the horizon.

6) Knowing that alligators like to come out just before sunset, I can only imagine that they too enjoy the colorful display from above.

7) Another aggressive alligator. This one jumped three feet into the air with mouth opened wide after taking this photo which caused me to quickly vacate its territory. Maybe alligators are aggressive right now because it is egg laying time.

8) With a little time to spare before the fireworks, I headed over to the Delta Fish House (formerly Oysterella's) to listen to live music by RipTide. They were pretty good.

9) The winds died down some, so I paddled over near the Hwy 90 bridge to watch the fireworks and listen to the big Booms. Saw three other kayakers.

10) Going through an over grown passageway in the dark was not exactly fun, but it did get me away from the boat traffic that was abundant after the fireworks show was over. I enjoyed paddling around under the starlight for another two hours after the fireworks.

01/01/2010 - Mobile River Fireworks

Launch: Causeway Boat Ramp (just west of Oysterella's restaurant)
Destination: Fireworks show. Been pacing back and forth for several days wondering whether to kayak to the fireworks show or not. A small craft advisory was issued starting at midnight. That was certainly cause for concern. Strong currents from flooding, paddling in the dark - the last thing I wanted was 20+ mph winds. Checked the forecast at the last minute and the high wind forecast had been delayed, now issued for 3 in the morning. That settled the decision - go watch the fireworks by kayak. Sure glad I did because it was spectacular! The winds kicked up 15 minutes after I got back and it started raining while driving home. Perfect timing from Mother Nature. Thanks!

Header Image

1) The USS Alabama at night.

2) McDuffie Coal Terminal puts out some excellent reflections across Mobile River.

3) The three new Alabama State Port Authority cranes.

4) The Mobile skyline. The casino blimp can be seen on the right side. The Moon Pie wasn't visible from my vantage point. I wanted to kayak over by Cooper Riverside Park but there were too many power boats in that vicinity and current was terrible on that side river. There was a nice cove on the other side of the river out of the current which was perfect for viewing the fireworks.

5) Bang! A whole lot of echoing going on. Kayaking in the New Year was good. Catch some of the fireworks action in the below video. Enjoy!

01/01/2007 - Mobile River Fireworks Show

Launch: Triple public boat ramps in the middle of the Causeway on the North side.
Launch Cost: Free.
Route: Down the Tensaw River, around Choctaw Point, up Mobile River to near Austal and then back.
Distance: 11.9 miles.
Average Speed: 3.2 mph.
Time: Approx 4 hrs.
Pace: Moderate.
Weather: Winds calm, temperature low 50s, and bright moon shining. Receding tide - current was going out 2.5 - 3.5 mph.

1) I’m between the interstate lanes heading out to watch the midnight fireworks from Mobile River.

2) This is what Mobile River looks like at night. One has to be very careful when kayaking in this busy river, especially at night when it is necessary to see the moving lights amid all the stationary lights.

3) I got to the fireworks show about 3 minutes late due to a running light that refused to work and a chain on the pedal unit broke about 20 minutes into the trip and had to be replaced.

4) The reflections of the fireworks on the water were amazing. A couple of the fireworks were the biggest ones I’ve ever seen and with them came some of the strongest concussions I’ve ever felt. It helps to have the best seat to watch the fireworks from.

5) There is a tugboat passing in this view – it is between the tall RSA building and the new state docks crane to the right of it.

6) After fighting some strong currents on the way back, I took a photo of the battleship with the moon shining above it. This was a very good way to start the New Year off. Hope your New Year gets off to a great start as well!